THE NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLERDianne Duvall lures readers into a world of romance and suspense, where love can mean the difference between life and death. . .Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural. She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to … a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it’s not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire. . .
Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can’t remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different–and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question–he can’t put her in danger. But she isn’t asking him. . .
“These dark, kick-ass guardians can protect me any day!” –Alexandra Ivy on Darkness Dawns
“Whizzing along at light speed. . .this sophomore effort sizzles.” –Publishers Weekly on Night Reigns
“Utterly addictive.” –Romantic Times
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Sebastien Newcombe spent years thing he was a vampire only to find he is really one of those he swore to he would destroy. No one trusts him except the leaders of the Immortal Guardians and Ami. But there is Doctor Lipton, he can’t stopping thinking about her and thinks his taint will rub off on her and they will fire her.
Melanie Lipton is a gifted one who works for the network caring for the humans that work with the Immortal Guardians and the vampires that don’t want to go mad because of the virus that changed them. She sees a different side to Sebastien and she could care less about the consequences he presumes will occur if they pursue their developing feelings for each other. She wants what she wants and she wants him.
We were first introduced to Sebastien in Darkness Dawns where it is assumed that he is a vampire. In Phantom Shadows you can feel how much it hurts that he is not accepted by most of his peers even as he tries to shrug it off with indifference and snarky comments. His desire to protect Melanie and Tanner from other’s opinions because of their association to him shows how deeply his loyalties go for those he cares for and I find it hilarious when he tries to push them away and they blow him off.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it was made even better by reading In Still Darkness in tandem since they were both happening at the same time. I am so glad that Dianne gave Sebastien his own story, and I agree with Seth about the similarities between Sebastien and Roland 😉
This review posting contains the body of the review, which is only a portion of the original review which is posted here http://lauralusbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/phantom-shadows-immortal-guardians-3-by.html
Another brilliant addition to this addictive series, full of action, adventure, hot steamy scenes and hot sexy immortal guardians!
This is all about Bastian, who we met in book one and he thought he was a vampire and was hellbent on getting even with Roland, who he thought had killed his sister, when in fact he was betrayed by his best friend. Bastian does not get along with the other immortal guardians, he still sees himself more as a vampire and is having difficulty in coming to terms with the fact he is not one. Everyone has it in for Bastian, he knows it, and he can’t keep his mouth shut and just has to push everyone’s buttons….. I love him!!!
Dr Melanie Lipton works in the labs and has been helping to try and find a cure for vampirism, working closely with 2 vampires who had volunteered to help out who had been in Bastian’s army. She has a thing for Bastian, is intensely attracted to him, but can see through his swagger and bravado to the hurt person he is underneath. She wants Bastian and is happy to pursue him when she finds out he likes her as well, but he tries his best to keep her away from him, not believing he is good enough for her.
Lots of excitement, adventure and drama with the fight scenes as we learn more about who they are facing and also more about other characters who will probably get their own book later in this series.
I loved Bastian and his inability to control his mouth, it added some humour to this book and had me laughing out loud at times. We also get a lovely surprise for one of the characters at the end of this book, most deserving and not expected. I look forward to the next book immensely!
Loved Bastien and Melanie
Dr Melanie Lipton is a gifted one. A medical doctor and researcher, she works for the network. Her current focus is finding a sure for the vampires and a treatment for the tranquilizer that Ami’s captives developed. The only drug know that can incapacitate an Immortal Guardian.
Sebastien Newcombe spent 2 centuries hunting the IG Roland. He raised a vampire army to do it. Now he know the truth. While Seth and David have welcomed him into the IG fold, the other Guardian’s would like to see him in changes or dead. He does nothing to endear himself to him. While Seth carries guilt for not finding him when he was changed. He carries guilt for the army he raised and bringing the vampires and IG to the attention of the humans who kidnapped Ami, his only friend. Then he met Melanie, the doctor who is treating three vampires who were part of his army. While he tries to keep his distance, to protect her, there is something about her that calls to him. She refuses to allow the IG and the Network to dictate who she is involved with.
When Melanie is hurt in an attack, that is directly related to his plan to ally with the vampires against their common enemy, Bastien needs Roland’s help to save her. Bastien will do anything to save her.
Fast paced and steamy. Loved Sebastian’s redemption. Melanie’s stand by your man and her dedication to helping her vampire patients who she calls friends and keeping the IG safe when they are hunting.
Great series.
Sebastien Newcombe thought he was justified in his quest for vengeance. But things are not always as they seem.
Dr. Melanie Lipton has been studying the Immortals for a long time. She knows all there is to know about them. Sebastien gives her new patients to study and try to save. What Melanie didn’t count on was her desire for Sebastien and the need to make everyone else see that he really is a good guy. This book was so awesome. I felt bad for Sebastien in the previous book and Phantom Shadows made me fall a little in love with him. Everyone needs a happy ending, even tough immortals that don’t think they deserve one.
**SPOILER ALERT**
I hate to write anything negative about this series. It is one of only two or three series I actually reread. And Dianne is my favorite author. Her writing is so intense and full of emotion, yet at the same time she is able to deliver the funniest scenes. I had read this book way back when it came out and I didn’t know about writing reviews. This one is my least favorite. I was so disappointed with how the other immortals treated Sebastian. Of course, Seth did save him from execution. But he still wasn’t very kind. If I were him and Melanie, I would’ve wanted to leave. There wasn’t many scenes of Bastian and Melanie in the bedroom. But there was so much action with hunting Emrys and the mercenaries. We see a lot of Cliff. I LOVE his character and hope he is saved and gets his own book. What really disappointed me was how this book seemed more about Ami. Of course, I was happy to see more about her. And I do like her character. But Seth almost kills Bastian for using her after the network is attacked by the mercenaries. They couldn’t reach Seth and Marcus had okayed it and was with her. Plus she can kick ass. Then what happens? Seth turns right around and uses Ami for the same thing because she is the only one who can track Emrys with her gifts. He didn’t even apologize to Marcus or act like it was hypocritical. Seems like this annoyed me more the second time around listening to the audiobook. Plus, it’s getting annoying how they’re all “protect Ami”. Like they don’t care if anyone else dies. These are supposed to be like Seth’s children and he’s acting like they are nothing to him compared to Ami. Why doesn’t Marcus and Ami have their own place? I would be pissed if I were them. I know she needs protecting and has a unique situation. After what she went through, I can understand why. But the relationship between her and Seth and David is getting ridiculous. And at the end when she thinks she is infected by the virus, Seth almost kills Marcus because David and him and Darnell assume Marcus bit her and Seth won’t even believe Ami when she says he didn’t. Marcus isn’t even breathing any more and David has to heal him. Does anyone apologize? No, they start raising hell again at him because he didn’t use condoms. Thinking him stupid. WTH? And if they only like organic stuff because they can taste each individual ingredient and additives, including in chocolate that isn’t organic, why does Marcus have a stash of lollipops? Ok, sorry to rant. I still recommend this series and even this book. Because any author who can evoke this much emotion in a reader, be it good or annoyed, is a good author. It means I care lol. Trust me, the rest of the books are worth getting upset over this one. There are big treats in store. We meet Zach in this book. He’s a winged being like Seth. I can’t help but think they are angels. And what’s up with the sacred place Seth goes to? He even let Ami in on that and his secret I assume. Yet, he doesn’t trust Bastian even at the end of the book. More than he did but seems he would shed little tears if he died. I feel like we will know in the end why Seth does what he does. If you like audiobooks, try theses in that form. This is one of the best narrators. Don’t listen while driving because the intense action will make you drive too fast lol.